By OkayGoal
Sunderland will be without Habib Diarra for around six weeks, a blow that should rule the Senegal midfielder out of the Tyne-Wear derby at St James’ Park on 6 December.
Régis Le Bris confirmed the news at his press conference before tonight’s Europa League game against Dinamo Zagreb at the Stadium of Light (8pm UK time). It is the last thing Sunderland need: they are bottom of the Premier League and playing every three days in three competitions.
Diarra was already a major doubt for Dinamo after picking up a muscle problem in training before the 3-1 defeat at Coventry, only just after coming back from a hamstring injury. Now we know how long he will be out.
How long is Habib Diarra out for?
Around six weeks, based on the first diagnosis. Le Bris said: “It’s probably around six weeks for the first diagnosis, so it’s a tough one for him. At the same time it gives me the opportunity to swap as I did with Chemsdine Talbi.”
That swap means Talbi takes Diarra’s place in Sunderland’s Europa League squad. He has earned it: Talbi played at No.10 in the League Cup win over Brentford last week, when Sunderland looked a different side.
Le Bris made it clear how much Diarra will be missed: “Yes it’s frustrating. He worked hard to get back after his previous injury. He is important in our squad. We have to understand the injury and why it happened and prepare him for the next comeback. It’s a problem because we need every player.”
Which games will Diarra miss?
Tonight’s game against Dinamo, Sunday’s home match against Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea (2pm UK time) and every game until well into December. A six-week timeline takes him past the derby against Newcastle United on Sunday 6 December, a game both clubs see as huge for their seasons.
Sunderland’s injury list: Diarra, Ballard and Mundle
Diarra joins Dan Ballard and Romaine Mundle on the sidelines. Ballard is out with a hamstring injury, and Mundle is recovering from knee surgery and not expected back until around the turn of the year.
Le Bris said: “We don’t have many injuries but they are serious. Romaine Mundle, Dan Ballard and Habib now. For the others they want to play and that’s a really positive vibe. We have our starting XI and the others want the shirt.”
‘Growing pains’: Le Bris on Sunderland’s season
Le Bris has been under pressure since the defeat at Coventry and he sees the club’s struggles as the price of a far busier season than they are used to. “It’s growing pains, simple,” he said. “Is it unexpected? I would say no. We are experiencing probably the most demanding challenge the club have ever faced in its history. Premier League, Europa League, quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, FA Cup later.”
He added that “playing every three days is much more demanding” than preparing for one game a week, but insisted: “We are still competitive and we trust our team and our level.”
Can Sunderland cope without Diarra?
In the short term, yes, but only just. Granit Xhaka’s control in midfield matters more than ever, as we said in our Sunderland vs Dinamo Zagreb preview, and Talbi’s form gives Le Bris another attacking option. The worry is depth. With two games in four days before the international break and a relegation fight already on, losing a starter for six weeks hurts a lot more than it would at a bigger club. Sunderland have to make sure this does not become three or four absentees before December.